Is pet insurance worth it for an Abyssinian?
Abyssinian cats are one of the oldest cat breeds. They love to play and are very intelligent, so they’re known for getting into trouble. They are also prone to certain health conditions, so it’s important to think about pet insurance before you adopt an Abyssinian.
Abyssinians have a few health problems that are more common in the breed than others. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a degenerative disease that causes blindness, can occur when a cat is just two years old.
They’re also more likely to get feline inflammatory bowel disease, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and dehydration. A few other issues that affect Abyssinians are pyruvate kinase deficiency, amyloidosis (a protein buildup in the organs), and renal cysts.
Abyssinians like to climb, jump and explore the world around them. They have adventurous spirits and this means they can often be more accident-prone than other breeds. If your Abyssinian has an accident in the house or while they’re out exploring, you might need to take them to the vet for treatment.
Abyssinians also have a tendency to get diabetes later in life which means you might need to pay for regular vet checkups as your cat gets older as well as medication if they start developing diabetes. This is why it’s important to consider whether pet insurance is right for your Abyssinian.
Common health conditions for an Abyssinian
Some of the health conditions most commonly seen in Abyssinians are:
- Renal amyloidosis: This is a condition that causes the abnormal accumulation of a protein called amyloid in various organs in the body, particularly the kidneys. The cause is unknown, but there is a genetic link. Treatment includes medication and sometimes a special diet.
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency: This is a genetic blood disorder that affects red blood cells and can lead to anemia. Treatment includes lifelong monthly transfusions.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This is an inherited, degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. It occurs in both eyes and has been found in Abyssinians worldwide, but not all cats with PRA have been tested for it, so it’s hard to say exactly how widespread it is among Abyssinians.
- Hip Dysplasia: This condition is seen in Abyssinians as well as many dog breeds. It occurs when the top of the hip bone doesn’t fit properly into the hip socket.
- Tear Staining: This results from over-production of tears or poor tear drainage, which can lead to discoloration under a cat’s eyes or on its face or neck.
What does pet insurance cover for an Abyssinian?
Here’s what pet insurance generally covers:
- Accidents: This can include ingesting poisonous substances, getting hit by a car, or falling from a high place.
- Illnesses: Conditions like cancer, infections, and diabetes are covered under most plans.
- Routine care: Vaccinations, flea treatments, and even spaying or neutering are all typically covered by pet insurance.
- Many plans also offer routine care packages that provide extra coverage for these services at discounted prices.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for an Abyssinian?
Here are the factors that affect Abyssinian insurance premiums:
- Age: Older cats cost more to insure than young cats because older cats tend to have more health problems. Most major pet insurers won’t even offer coverage for animals over a certain age — typically 10 to 12 years old — unless you’ve had them insured since they were younger with no gap in coverage.
- Location: Costs can vary by state. Some states have higher rates of illness and other factors that can raise your premium.
- Deductible: This is the amount you will pay out-of-pocket before your insurance policy kicks in to cover your vet bills. The lower your deductible, the more you’ll pay each month in premiums. However, keep in mind that a higher deductible may mean that you’ll have to pay a large amount out-of-pocket before receiving any benefits from your policy.
- Gender: As you might expect, the gender of your Abyssinian can impact its insurance policy. This is because male cats are more likely to roam and get into fights. The more time they spend outside, the higher their risk of contracting a disease or getting injured.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for an Abyssinian
Here are some tips on how to choose the best pet insurance plan for your Abyssinian:
- Consider your budget: Pet insurance makes sense if it helps you afford expensive tests and treatments that you’d otherwise put off or decline. But some plans include regular checkups and vaccinations as part of their coverage, and that can be an unnecessary expense if you’re already taking care of those things yourself.
- Check out the company’s reputation: There are many different pet insurance providers, so do your research before buying a policy from any of them. Look at reviews and ratings online, talk to other pet owners, and ask your vet if they’ve had any good (or bad) experiences with certain companies.
- Define your needs: Pet insurance for Abyssinians isn’t one-size-fits-all. The coverage you need depends on what kind of care your cat needs and how much you have to spend.
- Consider pre-existing conditions: Some pet insurers won’t cover pre-existing conditions on Abyssinians of any age, but others will give older ones with pre-existing conditions basic coverage at least. You’ll pay more for this type of coverage, though.